Poona, Queensland

Poona Queensland
Boat ramp area, Poona, 2009
Poona
Coordinates	25°43′05″S152°54′57″E / 25.7181°S 152.9157°E / -25.7181; 152.9157 (Poona (town centre))
Population	576 (2021 census) [1]
• Density	155.7/km2 (403/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4650
Area	3.7 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	35.6 km (22 mi) SE of Maryborough 66.5 km (41 mi) SSE of Hervey Bay 77.2 km (48 mi) NNE of Gympie 248 km (154 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Fraser Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Maryborough
Federal division(s)	Wide Bay
Localities around Poona: Tuan Forest Tuan Forest Great Sandy Strait Tuan Forest Poona Great Sandy Strait Tuan Forest Great Sandy Strait Great Sandy Strait

Poona is a coastal town and locality in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. ^{[2] [3]} In the 2021 census, the locality of Poona had a population of 576 people. ^[1]

Geography

Poona looking out to the Great Sandy Strait, 2015

The locality is bounded to the north and east by the Great Sandy Strait and to the south by Poona Creek which flows into the strait ( 25°43′33″S152°54′42″E / 25.7259°S 152.9118°E / -25.7259; 152.9118 (Poona Creek) ). ^[4] Poona Point is a headland on the north-eastern corner of the locality ( 25°42′37″S152°55′20″E / 25.7102°S 152.9222°E / -25.7102; 152.9222 (Poona Point) ). ^{[5] [6]}

The land use is residential housing and services along the east coast and creek frontage at the south. Apart from this, the land use is nature conservation. ^[7]

History

The name Poona is believed to be Aboriginal in origin, but its meaning is uncertain. ^[2] The town's name is derived from Poona Creek and Poona Point, both of which appear on a 1878 map. ^{[2] [6] [8]}

Demographics

In the 2016 census, the locality of Poona had a population of 481 people. ^[9]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Poona had a population of 576 people. ^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Poona. The nearest government primary school is Granville State School in Granville, Maryborough, to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Maryborough State High School in Maryborough to the north-west. ^[10]

Amenities

Poona Community Hall is at 7 Snapper Drive ( 25°43′14″S152°54′41″E / 25.72055°S 152.91140°E / -25.72055; 152.91140 (Poona Community Hall) ). ^[11] It is operated by the Poona Community Progress Association. In addition to the hall, there is a tennis court, putting green, and playground. There is a program of activities including exercise, dancing, craft, and social gatherings. ^[12]

There is a boat ramp off Owen Cox Street into the Great Sandy Strait ( 25°43′21″S152°54′49″E / 25.7225°S 152.9135°E / -25.7225; 152.9135 (Owen Cox Street boat ramp) ). It is managed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council. ^{[13] [14]}

Facilities

Sandy Straits Rural Fire Brigade is based at 8 Snapper Drive ( 25°43′15″S152°54′40″E / 25.7207°S 152.9112°E / -25.7207; 152.9112 (Poona Rural Fire Service) ). ^{[15] [16]}

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Poona (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Poona – town in Fraser Coast Region (entry 39095)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 27 December 2020.
3. "Poona – locality in Fraser Coast Region (entry 46668)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 27 December 2020.
4. "Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourse". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government . Retrieved 11 September 2025.
5. "Poona Point – point in Fraser Coast Regional (entry 27309)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 20 May 2024.
6. "Poona Point – point in Fraser Coast Regional (entry 27309)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 27 December 2020.
7. "Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government . Retrieved 11 September 2025.
8. "Poona Creek – watercourse in Fraser Coast Regional (entry 27307)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 27 December 2020.
9. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Poona (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
10. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 26 January 2021.
11. "Poona Community Hall". Google Street View . December 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
12. "Poona Community Progress Association". poonacommunity.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
13. "Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
14. "Owen Cox Street boat ramp". Google Street View . December 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
15. "Emergency services facilities - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
16. "Sandy Straits Rural Fire Brigade". Google Street View . December 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.